The newspaper had been publishing in the town since 1836.
One of the oldest newspapers on the island of Ireland, it was founded by Conway Pilson as The Downpatrick Recorder.
It has been owned by the Crichton family for the past 135 years.
The newspaper published each Wednesday, with its final edition released this week.
The Recorder covered an area stretching from Comber in the north of down to Newcastle and Castlewellan in the south, and from Lisburn in the west to the Ards Peninsula in the east.
It is currently owned by Marcus and Malcolm Crichton, the fourth generation of the family to run the newspaper.
Staff were informed of the closure on Friday morning.
Marcus told the Belfast Telegraph that it is an “emotional day”.
“We told staff today that we have ceased publication,” he said.
“I just want to first of all thank all of our staff both past and present for their exemplary service over the years.
“We want to also thank our readers and everyone who has ever supported the Down Recorder, it is an emotional day for everyone involved.”
It’s understood the Crichton family took editorial control of the newspaper around a decade ago.
According to Companies House, the publication business employed nine people last year.
Hugh Carville, production editor at the newspaper, posted on X: “BREAKING: The Down Recorder newspaper in Downpatrick has ceased publication after 189 years in circulation.”
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SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said it was a “sad day” for Downpatrick.
“My immediate thoughts are with the Crichton family and all the staff team who served the Downpatrick area so faithfully for many years,” he said.
“The Down Recorder has been part of the fabric of this community for as long as any of us can remember. It told our stories, celebrated our successes, marked our losses and kept people informed about the issues that mattered in their towns and villages.
“It also played a crucial democratic role, holding political parties and public representatives to account. Its loss will create a real vacuum in local news and public scrutiny.”
He added: “This is a sad day for Down. We have lost not just a paper, but a pillar of the community.
“My thoughts are with all those who have contributed to the Recorder’s proud history, and with the community it served so faithfully.”
Sinn Fein MLA Cathy Mason said local journalism is the “cornerstone” of rural communities.
She posted on Facebook: “I’m devastated to hear today’s news about the Down Recorder and my thoughts are with all of the staff.
The Down Recorder.
News Catch Up – Friday 14 November
“The Down Recorder’s commitment to providing trusted news across generations has made a real and lasting difference and it will be missed deeply.
“Local journalism and the voice it gives people is a cornerstone of rural communities like ours.
“We will do all we can to support the paper’s workers through this uncertain time.”
